This one-of-a-kind exhibition in Dresden explores the depth and breadth of Rembrandt’s life work, marking the 350th anniversary of the famous Dutch artist’s death. Entitled Rembrandt’s Mark, the exhibition at the Kupferstich-Kabinett includes more than 100 works from his career, in addition to 50 drawings and sketches from contemporaries, students and other artists inspired by his work.

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) is widely recognised as one of the most innovative and celebrated artists of all time. His works still manage to captivate audience centuries after his death and this new exhibition looks at the impact he left.

Exploring the life work of Rembrandt van Rijn

The show draws on the extensive Rembrandt collection at the Kupferstich-Kabinett, with loans from national and international museums, including the Musée du Louvre in Paris, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Courtauld Gallery in London and the Graphische Sammlung in Munich.  

Examining the mark left on art history by Rembrandt's unconventional interpretation of Christian and secular pictorial subjects, the exhibition is divided into five different sections:

Rembrandt’s Self 

The first section aims to look at the artist as a person through his numerous self-portraits, examining how he presents himself and his self-inquiry.

Rembrandt and Saskia 

The second section is dedicated to Rembrandt’s wife, Saskia, who passed away in 1642 at the age of 29. For the first time, 12 drawings and sketching of her will be showcased together.

Rembrandt Learning, Rembrandt Teaching

The third section presents works from artists with whom Rembrandt worked closely, either as a student or as a teacher.

Work Process

The central section examines the artist’s work process, how he used drawings in preparation for further works, and culminates in the famous Hundred Guilder Print from 1648.

Light and Shadow

In the final section, Rembrandt’s use of shadow and light in his work is closely examined, with particular emphasis on how he used the two to depict the physical world and spatial awareness.

New exhibition marks the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death

Accompanying the extensive exhibition is an installation by Prague-based artist Adéla Součková, who explores the central subject of “self”. Located in the foyer of the Kupferstich-Kabinett, the display is described as an “inquiry into the significance of Rembrandt for the present.”

A presentation of the video work "Junks", by Dutch artists Jeroen de Rijke and Willem de Rooij, will also be shown in the Studiolo, examining the juxtaposition between different painters who became part of Rembrandt’s influence.

Get your tickets to see Rembrandt’s Mark

Interested in seeing some of Rembrandt’s celebrated self-portraits or learning more about the lasting impact he has had on the art world? Then be sure to get your tickets to this special exhibition now, as it will only run until September this year. For more details and tickets visit the Kupfertish-Kabinett website.